Police later reopened the road and said the suspicious object was an "elaborate hoax".

On the North Belfast incident, Alliance Councillor Nuala McAllister said people in North Belfast are "sick and tired" of the disruption caused by security alerts.

"In the space of a few days, we have seen disruption caused by a number of security alerts in North Belfast and further afield," said Councillor McAllister.

"Although further details have yet to emerge in this instance, one alert is one too many. To have several is disgraceful. The people behind these alerts need to take a long look at their actions and realise they do nothing but cause annoyance and disruption to local people and businesses.

"I would urge anyone with information to come forward with it to the police and help end this cycle of security alert and disruption which is making the people of North Belfast sick and tired."